Adding an add-on to Stremio takes three steps: find the add-on URL, open Stremio's add-on browser, and paste the URL to install it

Stremio add-ons expand what the app can show you — they connect Stremio to different sources of movies, TV shows, and live content. Without add-ons, Stremio is mostly empty. The process of installing one is straightforward, but the URL you paste matters: a wrong or outdated link will fail silently, and Stremio won't tell you why.

This guide walks you through finding a working add-on, installing it into Stremio on any device, and troubleshooting when it doesn't work. The steps are the same whether you're on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS.

Key Takeaways

  • Add-ons are installed by pasting a URL into Stremio's add-on browser, not by downloading files.
  • The add-on URL must be exact — even a missing slash or typo will cause installation to fail.
  • Stremio's official add-on catalog at stremio.com/addons is the safest place to find URLs.
  • If an add-on stops working, the source it pulls from may have shut down or changed, and you may need to find a replacement.
  • Add-ons run on remote servers, so they require an internet connection and the server must be online.

Where to find add-on URLs

The safest source is Stremio's official add-on catalog at stremio.com/addons. Browse the list, click on an add-on you want, and look for an "Install" button or a URL field. Some add-ons show the URL directly; others have an Install button that opens Stremio automatically with the add-on ready to install.

If you find an add-on elsewhere — on Reddit, GitHub, or a third-party site — copy the full URL carefully. The URL usually starts with https:// and ends with a slash. Common formats look like https://example.com/manifest.json or https://example.com/. A single missing character will break the installation.

Write down or copy the URL before you open Stremio. Switching between apps on mobile can be clumsy, and you don't want to lose the link halfway through.

How to install an add-on on Windows, Mac, or Linux

Open Stremio and look for the Discover tab or section at the bottom of the left sidebar. Click it. You should see a grid of add-ons with an Install button next to each one. If you're installing from the official catalog, click Install and you're done — Stremio handles the URL automatically.

If you have a URL from elsewhere, look for a text field or search box in the Discover section. Some versions of Stremio have a small plus icon or "Add custom add-on" option. Click it, paste the full URL into the field, and press Enter or click a confirm button. Stremio will fetch the add-on from that URL and install it.

Once installed, the add-on appears in your sidebar under My Add-ons or in the Discover section marked as installed. You can now search within that add-on's content by clicking on it.

How to install an add-on on Android or iOS

The process is nearly identical on mobile, but the interface is smaller. Open Stremio and tap the Discover or Add-ons tab. Browse the list or search for an add-on by name. When you find one, tap Install.

For a custom URL on mobile, look for a plus icon, a search field, or an "Add custom add-on" button — the exact location varies by Stremio version. Tap it, paste the URL, and confirm. The add-on will install in the background.

If you're copying a URL from a web browser on the same phone, use your phone's app switcher or split-screen view to keep both Stremio and the browser visible at once. This avoids losing the URL when you switch apps.

What to do when an add-on won't install

If you paste a URL and nothing happens, or you see an error message, the most common causes are a typo in the URL, an outdated link, or a server that's offline. Check the URL character by character — look especially for missing slashes, extra spaces, or http instead of https.

If the URL looks correct, the add-on's server may be down. Wait a few minutes and try again. If it still fails after several attempts, the add-on may no longer be maintained. Search the official Stremio catalog or Reddit's r/Stremio for a replacement that serves the same content.

Some add-ons require you to sign up for an account on their website before they work in Stremio. Check the add-on's description or documentation to see if you need to create a login first. If you do, sign up on their site, then install the add-on in Stremio — it will usually prompt you to log in the first time you use it.

Why an add-on stops working after installation

An add-on that installs successfully but shows no results or stops working later is usually a sign that the content source it pulls from has shut down, moved, or blocked Stremio. This happens often because many add-ons rely on third-party websites or services that change without notice.

When this happens, there's no fix within Stremio itself. Your options are to uninstall the broken add-on and find a replacement, or wait to see if the add-on's developer updates it. Check the add-on's GitHub page or documentation to see when it was last updated — if it's been months or years, it's probably abandoned.

To uninstall an add-on, go to your installed add-ons, find the one you want to remove, and look for an uninstall or remove button. It's usually a trash icon or a minus sign.

Understanding add-on permissions and safety

When you install an add-on, Stremio doesn't ask for permissions the way a phone app does. Add-ons run on remote servers, not on your device, so they can't access your files or install software on your computer. What they can do is see what you search for and watch — your search history and viewing activity pass through their servers.

Stick to add-ons from the official Stremio catalog or well-known sources like GitHub repositories with active maintainers. If an add-on asks you to download a file or install something separate, that's a red flag — legitimate Stremio add-ons don't require extra downloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install multiple add-ons at once?

Yes. Install as many as you want — they all appear in your sidebar. However, more add-ons mean slower search results because Stremio queries all of them at once. If searches feel sluggish, uninstall add-ons you don't use regularly.

What's the difference between an add-on and a plugin?

In Stremio, these terms are used interchangeably. An add-on is a piece of software that connects Stremio to a content source. It runs on a remote server, not on your device.

Do I need to restart Stremio after installing an add-on?

Usually not. Most add-ons appear in your sidebar immediately. If one doesn't show up after a minute, close Stremio completely and reopen it.

Why does Stremio show "add-on not found" when I paste a URL?

The URL is either wrong, the server is offline, or the add-on has been removed. Double-check the URL for typos. If it looks correct, try again in a few minutes. If it still fails, the add-on may no longer exist.

Can I use the same add-on on multiple devices?

Yes. Install the add-on on each device separately using the same URL. Your Stremio account syncs your installed add-ons across devices if you're logged in, so you may only need to install once.